THE horror on the streets and in the mosques of Cairo (August 17) is a reminder to us all of the importance of democracy in every country.
Shooting civilians is never an answer, whether they are Catholics in Northern Ireland, Sunnis in Syria or Muslim Brothers in Egypt.
It is fashionable to criticise politics and politicians in Britain. But give me debate, compromise and tolerance every time, rather than the violence, dogmatism and intolerance we see in Egypt. Jaw jaw is always better than war war. But we have to give our enemies their own space.
Much as I detest the policies of the Tories and Lib Dems they have as much right to their opinion as any Labour supporter.
My heart goes out to the people of Egypt on all sides. Our European Union should surely press the United States to suspend its financial backing for the Egyptian army.
JOHN TANNER (Labour Cllr) Board Member for a Cleaner, Greener Oxford City Councillor for Littlemore & County Councillor for Isis
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